Jerusalem, Dec. 2 (Reuters): Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said today he would seek a governing coalition with Shimon Peres' Labour Party and pledged to press ahead with a planned Gaza pullout.

Sharon said that after dismissing his main political partner, the Shinui party, over its Opposition to the 2005 state budget, he had 'no choice but to officially attempt to broaden the coalition with the Labour Party and religious parties.'

Labour has publicly signalled its willingness to open coalition negotiations with Sharon.